CATHOLIC education stakeholders in Brisbane archdiocese met last weekend for a series of four forums to plan for the future.
About 250 people representing a broad cross-section of those involved in Catholic education in the archdiocese, including diocesan and religious institute schools, parents and priests, attended the forums, which featured diverse and sometimes strong views.
Australian Parents’ Council president, Leo Dunne, who is facilitating preparations for the archdiocese’s summit on education, said: ‘The important thing was the program allowed people to express their concerns as well as the positive issues felt about education, and they were able to carry that thinking into the future – where we are going from here and how we are going to shape the future.’
A workshop this weekend is converting that information into possible scenarios to be presented at the summit on October 18.
Cannon Hill parish priest, Fr Mark Percival has been nominated to participate in the scenario workshop following his input at one of the forums.
One of the points he made related to the issue of population growth.
He said that, as growth occurred and urban sprawl developed, people inevitably gravitated towards neighbourhoods as they searched for belonging and identity.
‘The role of the parish school is in neighbourhood. That’s where its niche market is,’ Fr Percival said.
Mr Dunne said that, despite conflicting views among some of the participants at the forums, there was an overall optimism.
Archbishop John Bathersby’s calling of the summit was prompted by a number of proposed changes to Catholic schooling provisions in the archdiocese.
These include the ongoing issue of providing and missioning new schools in growth areas, and proposals by a number of religious institute secondary colleges to offer some primary grades.
The education summit will be held at the Marymac Centre, Annerley on October 18.
